&w=3840&q=100)
Lack of time with red ball ahead of ENG series is concerning: Morne Morkel
With less than a week to go for India's high-profile five-Test series against England, bowling coach Morne Morkel has admitted concerns over the squad's limited red-ball preparation. The series, which marks the start of India's new World Test Championship cycle, will also be Shubman Gill's first assignment as Test captain. India's last red-ball match came back in January during the Sydney Test against Australia, and many of the current squad members, including youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, are set to experience English conditions in Test cricket for the first time. While the coaching staff has been encouraged by the intensity at training, Morkel emphasised the importance of maintaining consistency on and off the field in order to thrive in the demanding English environment.
Consistency Key to Success in England
Morkel, speaking from the sidelines of India's practice sessions, noted that consistency remains central to success in England. He stressed that players need to discover and stick to individual routines that work for them, whether on the field or during preparation. According to him, India's bowling unit has the advantage of variety, which can be effective if the basics are executed well.
Limited Red-Ball Exposure a Worry
The South African great admitted that the team's lack of recent red-ball cricket had made him 'a little nervous' before the camp began. However, he said the past few training days have eased some of those concerns. The energy and commitment shown by the players, especially in testing conditions, have been reassuring.
Fast Bowlers Enjoy Early Practice Conditions
Reflecting on the two days of practice so far, Morkel observed that the pitches had favoured seamers, offering plenty of assistance. While that presented a challenge for the batters, he believed it served as a good simulation for match situations. However, he does not expect the Test-match pitches to behave similarly throughout the series.
Final Preparations Before Leeds Test
India will play a four-day intra-squad match against India A starting Friday, which is likely to be their final tune-up before the opening Test in Leeds on June 20. Morkel urged his bowlers to show character even when conditions are flat, insisting that mental resilience will be just as crucial as skill in the long English summer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill handed reality check over Jasprit Bumrah suspense for 2nd Test: 'What's the point of...'
On the eve of the Edgbaston Test between India and England, all the chatter is about whether pacer Jasprit Bumrah would play the second match of the five-game series. The 31-year-old dished out 43.4 overs in the Headingley Test, which India lost by five wickets after allowing England to chase down 371. The No. 1-ranked ICC Test bowler scalped five wickets in the first innings. However, he went wicketless in the second innings, and he was not even called upon to bowl when England needed 85 more runs for the win. Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill handed 'dead rubber' warning as suspense around Jasprit Bumrah continues to grow.(HT_PRINT) Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Bumrah needs to play the Edgbaston Test against Ben Stokes and co. as he is the best bowler currently, and India cannot risk going 0-2 down. Even before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy got underway, Bumrah himself made it clear that he would be playing just three Tests. When he took five wickets in the first innings, calls grew for the pacer to play all Tests. However, India head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed there would be no change in plans, and the speedster would play only three Tests. "If we talk about this Test match, will you play Bumrah? Yes, if Bumrah wants to play. By all means, as a coach or anybody, I would also always want Bumrah to play. Because Bumrah's factor in the game is very big. And especially, we are 1-0 behind in a series. Obviously, we have decided this earlier. And Bumrah has also suggested that he has to play 3 Tests. And that is the best way to manage his workload," said Ashwin on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'. Also Read: Gautam Gambhir in firing line for handling of Jasprit Bumrah for England Tests: 'Why was it not kept a secret?' "I would rather say, we have got a 10-day bonus. So, he can be ready for this game. So, let's just say, if he plays this game and it becomes 1-1. You have a chance to rest him in the 3rd or 4th test. And you can bring him back. But if this Test match also goes wrong, you can always rest him and just play him in the 4th Test," he added. Ahead of the Edgbaston Test, Bumrah was seen having a long chat with Gambhir on Monday. He only bowled towards the latter half of the training session, and all signs point to the 31-year-old missing the contest. "If I were talking about team management, and even if I were Bumrah, I would say the same thing. He is such a big bowler, such a big superstar. Why does he play? To win the match, to win the series. So, obviously, what's the point of playing in a dead rubber? I mean, I don't think it makes any sense. But also, let's keep in mind, it can be traumatic," said Ashwin. "A bowler has undergone surgery once. The second time, he had to manage his load. He just got away with it. And he came back. He came back, obviously, with flying colours. So, it is very, very important to extend his career. So, with that regard, Bumrah should play in the 2nd Test. Because 2-0 becomes a big, big hit to catch up. Especially in an away series. It can happen in a home series as well. But in an away series, it's very tough," he added. 'Happy to see chatter about Bumrah' Ashwin also said that he is happy to see all the chatter about an Indian bowler, as for a long time, the fans have been obsessed with batters. He stated that it just shows how important Bumrah truly is. With a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test, Bumrah went past Wasim Akram to become the bowler with the most wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA countries. "I am happy that before a series or a Test match, we are talking about Indian cricket. It is very evident that we are talking about a bowler. Right? In the past, it's always been about a batter. The superstar, the runaway brand of Indian cricket. We have always run after batters for so many years. But for the first time, such a big discussion about a bowler. And I am so glad for both Bumrah and the situation Indian cricket is in," said Ashwin. "I always used to say that in any cricketing landscape, if there is a domination of bowlers or if you have a pack of bowlers, just like Australia has always had. You see, before that, there was Thompson, there was McDermott, then you had Gillespie, Shane Warne. You continue to have that legacy. If there is such a bowling pack, then those teams tend to win a lot more titles and a lot more competitions. India is far away from that. But at least, we have started," he added.
New Indian Express
38 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
A spinner or two: India face selection conundrum in bid for comeback against England
BIRMINGHAM: India will need to shed their conservative selection approach and give themselves the best chance to take 20 wickets on what is expected to be another batting surface in the second Test against England, beginning here on Wednesday. By the team management's own admission, India missed a specialist bowler at Leeds, Kuldeep Yadav to be specific, as England comfortably chased down a record 371 on day five of a game that the visitors should have won. In the words of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, India are grappling to find a team combination that doesn't compromise on batting depth and yet has the bowlers to take 20 wickets. "In terms of managing the strategy there, we're looking at each bowler individually, feeling what we feel they can get wickets-wise. And then it's just trying to balance up and trying to calculate as best you can what the best chance of getting into the Test match." Doeschate admitted. "But you need 20 wickets. So the attacking party is obviously finding someone who can get wickets as well. And we are grappling with that. We don't stop talking about that. We're trying to figure it out," he added. The weather has been rather hot in Birmingham and the surface, bound by a decent covering of grass, is dry underneath. On this very ground three years ago, England had gunned down a daunting 378 with ridiculous ease to draw the series. Of late, the same 22 yards have offered plenty of runs to the batters in county cricket. The spinners will eventually come into the game and India need to decide whether they want someone like Washington Sundar who can assist Ravindra Jadeja or get Kuldeep, who is a much better wicket-taking option. What is confirmed is that India will go in with two spinners.
New Indian Express
39 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Nathan Lyon wants to win Test series in India before retirement
ST. GEORGE'S: Australian spin great Nathan Lyon has no immediate plans of Test retirement as he yearns for one final away series win in India before calling time on his illustrious career. The 37-year-old, who is the most successful off-spinner for Australia with 556 wickets in 138 Tests, has taken 130 wickets against India in 32 Tests (both home and away) but has never been a part of an away series win in India. In fact, Australia have not beaten India in their backyard since their "final frontier" triumph in 2004-05. "I've always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England," Lyon was quoted as saying by "We've got that opportunity in a couple of years' time, but we've also got to take it Test by Test and make sure that we're doing everything here in West Indies right," the spinner said. "Then we've got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure," he added. But Lyon has relinquished his duties in the Australian team as it's song-master, passing on the baton to wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who fulfilled the duties during the dressing room celebrations after their 159-run win over the West Indies in the first Test. The song, "Underneath the Southern Cross", is sung after every victory, led by the song master. This tradition, started by Rod Marsh, was passed on to Lyon by former Australia batter Michael Hussey. In Tests, Lyon led the celebrations in 67 wins from 125 matches. "I've been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it's been one of the biggest highlights of my career," Lyon said. "It definitely doesn't mean I'm retiring anytime soon. It's more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate," he said. Lyon said he now wants to sit back and "take it all in". "I ran my race with it, and it's time for someone else to put their touch on it. I've loved having the privilege to lead the team song but now I can sit back and hopefully enjoy a few wins and just relax and take it all in," he said. Australia will take on the West Indies in the second Test starting here on Wednesday.
